07/20/2026
ONE BREED WEANED HEAVIER CALVES THAN EVERY OTHER BREED IN THE TEST.
When the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center compared breed topcrosses, one group came out on top at weaning and it was not close.
Simmental-sired calves were heavier at 200-day weaning than every other breed group tested.
The three British breeds, Hereford, Angus and Red Angus, were similar to each other at weaning. Gelbvieh topcrosses matched the British breeds. Charolais-sired calves were heavier than Limousin, Hereford and Red Angus. Limousin-sired calves were the lightest of all the groups at weaning.
But weaning weight is only one column in the ledger. In that same work the British breeds produced progeny that graded 88.8 percent Choice or higher, with 22.3 percent grading Yield Grade 1 and 2. The Continental breeds carried larger ribeye areas, though Angus-sired calves had bigger ribeyes than Red Angus and Hereford and matched the Continentals.
Pounds at weaning or grade on the rail. Most outfits are chasing one more than the other.
Which one pays on your operation? 👇
